WCF | Preaching

Overview of the Port Maria

Port Maria is the capital of the St. Mary's Parish of Jamaica. It lies on the northeast coast of Jamaica. Port Maria is not a typical tourist destination. There are no large resorts or tourist attractions in town.

Food

There are several restaurants in town including the fast food icon Juici Patties and the Miracle Jerk Centre. You can also get chicken, hamburgers or pizza at Derricks. The Hi-Lo grocery store has an excellent variety of foods and accepts credit cards as well.

jam_food
Downtown Port Maria - the Juici Patti is in the upper right hand corner

Money

The Western Union in the heart of town has a Cambio inside with the best exchange rate. There are also several banks and ATMS. The exchange rate at the airport is not that great, but you may want to exchange a few dollars there so you can have them for the trip to Port Maria. We usually stop for a bite on the way back. If you would like to check out the current exchange rate, you can do so by clicking here. The exchange rate is approximately $1US = $65 Jamaican. This means that $1,000 Jamaican is worth approximately $15US.

You will find that some things in Jamaica are very expensive. For example, cars are much higher priced in Jamaica than in the US. Anything that is produced on the island, however, is generally inexpensive. Food, unless it is grown in Jamaica, is roughly the same price as in the US.

Health

Make sure you bring with you any medicines that you will need for the duration of your trip. There is a hospital in Port Maria that can provide adequate care if needed. However, if you have an acute problem, you may want to consider travelling home before getting help. There is no ambulance service in Port Maria, so if you need to go to the hospital, you will need to have Bro. Milton take you or catch a cab.

Security

Port Maria is a sleepy little town with none of the attributes that you often here associated with the violent Kingston area. However, please take reasonable measures to secure your safety. Please lock the gated door to the apartment each evening before going to bed and also if you will be away for a while. The windows on the apartment have bars (which is a typical feature of Jamaican architecture and not indicative of the area the apartment is in).

As in any situation, please be aware of your surroundings. Women should not venture out unescorted at night.



		Overview of the Port Maria Port Maria is the capital of the St. Mary's Parish of Jamaica. It lies on the northeast coast of Jamaica. Port Maria is not a typical tourist destination. There are no large resorts or tourist attractions in town. Food There are several restaurants in town including the fast food icon Juici Patties and the Miracle Jerk Centre. You can also get chicken, hamburgers or pizza at Derricks. The Hi-Lo grocery store has an excellent variety of foods and accepts credit cards as well. Downtown Port Maria - the Juici Patti is in the upper right hand corner Money The Western Union in the heart of town has a Cambio inside with the best exchange rate. There are also several banks and ATMS. The exchange rate at the airport is not that great, but you may want to exchange a few dollars there so you can have them for the trip to Port Maria. We usually stop for a bite on the way back. If you would like to check out the current exchange rate, you can do so by clicking here. The exchange rate is approximately $1US = $65 Jamaican. This means that $1,000 Jamaican is worth approximately $15US. You will find that some things in Jamaica are very expensive. For example, cars are much higher priced in Jamaica than in the US. Anything that is produced on the island, however, is generally inexpensive. Food, unless it is grown in Jamaica, is roughly the same price as in the US. Health Make sure you bring with you any medicines that you will need for the duration of your trip. There is a hospital in Port Maria that can provide adequate care if needed. However, if you have an acute problem, you may want to consider travelling home before getting help. There is no ambulance service in Port Maria, so if you need to go to the hospital, you will need to have Bro. Milton take you or catch a cab. Security Port Maria is a sleepy little town with none of the attributes that you often here associated with the violent Kingston area. However, please take reasonable measures to secure your safety. Please lock the gated door to the apartment each evening before going to bed and also if you will be away for a while. The windows on the apartment have bars (which is a typical feature of Jamaican architecture and not indicative of the area the apartment is in). As in any situation, please be aware of your surroundings. Women should not venture out unescorted at night.		More on Jamaica Here are some other things you might want to know about this program. Jamaica Home Overview of Port Maria What to Expect in Jamaica What to Bring to Jamaica Current Schedule Ordering a Copy of the Preaching in Jamaica DVD "Champion a Child" Project Click below to download a package of information on what's been happening in the Port Maria area over the last few years. This serves to introduce the Port Maria Farm and the Champion a Child student sponsorship. Download (3MB)